A better radiator.

[arther dailey]

we still have a few cast iron radiators ,get red hot but if you put your hand just above cant feel a thing, where as the "modern" tin ones you can feel the heat rising and cant hardly bare your hand on them at all. always prefered the look of cast ones but get the impression modern ones actually work more effectively. It would be good to know the facts as need to replace some this summer.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I always just measure the room ...then look at those BTU calculators online. If you want it toasty just double the BTU ...and fit a thermostatic valve.

You can always turn down the heat if you over spec....

 

[gaz1]

Not sure about this. There are plenty of opinions to say so on the web, mostly from radiator cover manufacturers/suppliers. Depends very much on the design of the cover, but generally covers impede the air flow, so reduce heat output, and also shield the radiated heat, further reducing heat output.

the general pratical information is never cover radiators but thats because people wanted to put shielding up with solid wood above the radiator

the alternative is create a shroud around the radiator

convection is the power of the rad the old systems used it to a degree like the old iron rads

the newer rads have a convection fins either at back of them or inside of them, this gives lift to the air therefore moving it upwards at a lowish speed its this lift that is calculated

the car radiator is based on the same principle but its used to cool the radiator

 

[knighty]

But, a big old radiator with coat hooks above it etc might be cool, got room got both.

I've got this setup in the tea room at work, plenty of cold wet stuff here to dry out

a couple of double fin radiators which a mate gave me for free after he modernised his house and coat hooks above... nice warm/dry coats and nice warm/dry gloves we leave in the pockets.... it's surprising how well it works

 

[8ob]

we still have a few cast iron radiators ,get red hot but if you put your hand just above cant feel a thing, where as the "modern" tin ones you can feel the heat rising and cant hardly bare your hand on them at all. always prefered the look of cast ones but get the impression modern ones actually work more effectively. It would be good to know the facts as need to replace some this summer.

Just had a quick look and if buying new it takes a double panel double convector rad to match the old cast iron rads size for size. I don't think gagging paint on rads helps either, mine only have the one coat of rad paint sprayed on, I would imagine numerous coats would hamper convection even if they " felt hot"

Bob

 

[gaz1]

Just had a quick look and if buying new it takes a double panel double convector rad to match the old cast iron rads size for size. I don't think gagging paint on rads helps either, mine only have the one coat of rad paint sprayed on, I would imagine numerous coats would hamper convection even if they " felt hot"

Bob

your wrong bob

standared cast rad vs double rad k2 1000x600

https://www.traderadiators.com/victorian-cast-iron-radiator-660mm-x-961mm-4-column-15-sections

output BTU (Δ50) i 5100

this bigger model is closer

https://www.traderadiators.com/victorian-cast-iron-radiator-660mm-x-1023mm-4-column-16-sections

BTU (Δ50) i 5440

vs newer model

https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/Stelrad-Softline-Compact-K2-Radiator---600-x-1000-mm/p/422363

1732 W / 5910 BTU/h

its the cool down that makes the difference bob whilst cast iron is slower to heat up its also slower to cool down compared to the newer rads

 

[angellonewolf]

we still have a few cast iron radiators ,get red hot but if you put your hand just above cant feel a thing, where as the "modern" tin ones you can feel the heat rising and cant hardly bare your hand on them at all. always prefered the look of cast ones but get the impression modern ones actually work more effectively. It would be good to know the facts as need to replace some this summer.

not that i could confirm but i think the thicker the metal the longer it takes to heat up that why new rads are better as they throw heat out faster but dont last as long (15 years and seen a few start leaking as the thin metal rusts)

but as there quite cheap and easy to replace i replaced all ours in the house when i moved in and the house gets up to temp quite a bit faster than the 40 year old rads

 

[8ob]

your wrong bob

standared cast rad vs double rad k2 1000x600

I saw that Gaz, the difference is virtually nil because the rad size in cast iron include the feet which don't really count as heating surface area. Still rather look at the cast iron rads

Bob

 

[gaz1]

actually im wrong bob

interesting i had thought the 4 fins was better ive adjusted these accordingly by there sizes to match closely to a standared 1000 x 600 radiator

the cast iron btu info is all over the place per web page per radiator

these are from here theres a size difference to them

https://www.featureradiators.co.uk/cast-iron-radiators.html

the new btu rad

1732 W / 5910 BTU/h

4 fin 14 Sections/877mm wide 1912/6524 887 x 765
3 fin 14 Sections/880mm wide 1893/6465 880 x 640
2 fin 14 Sections/1035mm wide 1945/6636 1035 x 570
1 fin 14 Sections/941mm wide 2204/7547 941 x 745

 

[Revs1972]

That’s the puppy I bought. Cast iron look but not.
600 x 1355 with something like 8250 BTU.
Gonna be toasty